Queens Woman Charged With Beating Bulldog Pup With a Shovel

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Spike, an 11-month-old English bulldog beaten by his owner, is recovering from multiple injuries at the ASPCA hospital. His owner was arrested for animal cruelty.
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Updated at 3:10 PM EST on Monday, Mar 8, 2010

A Queens woman has been charged with animal cruelty after her neighbors caught her on video beating an 11-month-old English bull dog with a snow shovel.

Maria Aguilar allegedly crippled the dog with her months of abuse. She faces two felony counts -- animal cruelty and possession of a weapons for allegedly beating the dog with a shovel.

Warning: Disturbing Video of Woman Accused of Animal Abuse

The ASPCA says the dog, Spike, had "a hip fracture, a broken leg, three broken teeth and injuries to his ears." He is not up for adoption yet, the ASPCA said.

In addition, the adorable pup is"virtually blind in his right eye." The ASPCA went to Aguilar's home last month after calls about a dog crying: "One of the witnesses used a camera phone to tape the abuse, also capturing Spike's howls of pain. Aguilar is seen throwing Spike to the ground and then slamming him with a snow shovel."

Apparently Aguilar's husband had taken Spike to the vet 12 times in the last seven months. She initially denied abusing the dog, but then confessed after investigators showed her the video.